This is a quick checklist of a few things that you, as a new business, should expect to ask your accountant (or potential accountant).
1. What will you do to help my business?
2. What guarantees do you offer?
3. Do you offer fixed prices?
4. How long will it take you to prepare a set of accounts?
5. Can I expect to have a tax planning meeting before my year end?
6. Will you recommend my business to others?
7. Can you show me some testimonials / case studies from existing customers?
8. How often can I expect to see / hear from you?
9. Can you refer other people who can help my business?
10. Can I expect to receive proactive advice?
Answers / explanations ? what you should hear when you ask these questions.
1. They should list a number of things, possibly even answering some of the other questions. A good response would include, introducing you to other professionals, potential customers and networking groups; referring your business to other customers of theirs; proactive advice and support ? recognising that you might not know the right question to ask, so they shouldn't wait until you ask to offer advice where relevant.
2. Again expect several, around services standards, turnaround time for work etc.
3. Yes.
4. 30 days (60 max)
5. Yes, as standard (and included in fee)
6. Yes, its our policy to do so.
7. Yes, they should have a selection. (The fact that they ask for them will also tell you something about the type of firm they are ie forward thinking, proactive)
8. This should be more than once a year! You should at least expect newsletters, occasional invitations or recommendations even if you don't have any work done during the year.
9. Yes, they should have a network of reliable professionals who can help you.
10. Yes, should be matter of course, see 1.
? Copyright Julia McDaid 2003 www.startupright.co.uk
Julia McDaid is a business coach and author, specialising in helping business start ups. For more information on these issues or on coaching for new business owners, see http://www.startupright.co.uk or enrol on Julia's unique Start Up 101 ecourse, where you can go into each question in a lot more depth. Julia also publishes a free ezine 'Secrets of the Successful Entrepreneur' ? to sign up just send an email to http://www.startupright.co.uk
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know... Read More
Although dentistry may appear to be different than other types... Read More
Buckling under the weight of chronic corporate restructuring, and frustrated... Read More
Email etiquette is the key to help calm down anxious... Read More
Here are ten things that you can do to hold... Read More
As a counselor, therapist or healing professional (massage therapist, physiotherapist,... Read More
While some new business owners face the issue of not... Read More
As the holiday season starts to settle in, the workload... Read More
10 Ways to Boost your ProfitabilitySo many business owners work... Read More
One way links will help you gain better rankings in... Read More
When sending mail to clients and potential clients, make your... Read More
Most people wish they read more. It is an activity... Read More
Business etiquette is essentially about building relationships with colleagues, clients... Read More
The lack of strong boundaries is one of the chief... Read More
Are you ready for a BASH? Have you ever been... Read More
I have some good news and I have some bad... Read More
From an employee's perspective, management often conducts itself in ways... Read More
We all are project managers. Some of us manage projects... Read More
Let's put to rest the fallacy that success, in sales... Read More
Use the checklist below to make sure your article, tip,... Read More
One way to manage your time more effectively is to... Read More
Your business card is a valuable piece of real estate... Read More
The following tips are from an article we contributed to... Read More
1. Outsource what takes you too long to doWhen you... Read More
We all know that running a home business is highly... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Cash is king-so they say. If you work for yourself... Read More
Most people have at least one favorite quotation from a... Read More
1. Get to know people. First meet those people in... Read More
Positioning Your Company for Debt Financing:There was a time in... Read More
Seven Reasons Why Training Doesn't Produce the Desired Results and... Read More
Do you find great joy in being a coach? If... Read More
Many people find it really hard to write for business... Read More
Many new coaches struggle to attract their first client. Often,... Read More
Seven Questions to Improve Your Business, Your Relationships, and Your... Read More
1. Outsource what takes you too long to doWhen you... Read More
Looking for an old friend? Want to know if your... Read More
1. Locks and Padlocks ? Locks on all outside entrances... Read More
With today's technology and people's need for more information it... Read More
From an employee's perspective, management often conducts itself in ways... Read More
There are so many simple, yet really sure-fire ways of... Read More
Have you put a lot of effort, time, and money... Read More
1. Make a clear, specific commitment to what you want.... Read More
We've heard numerous success stories of Internet entrepreneurs like Jeff... Read More
You have seen their ads and you may have wondered... Read More
Almost daily, newspapers, business magazines, radio and television carry reports... Read More
You need sales and you wanted them yesterday. Here are... Read More
Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming"... Read More
Ever lost a sale you thought was in the bag?... Read More
If you've been thinking of starting a business on the... Read More
If you are like me, you are living some distance... Read More
Top Quick Tips |